Would you drop this player?

[WayneLigon]

It sounds like the tone and expectations of the game were spelled out to the players.

If it was a tabletop game, I'd talk to the guy later assuming he either hadn't read the handout document or character requirements. In a PBP game, though, he's had ample opportunity and time to look over his options and read the game set-up text. I'd PM him, and ask him why he's ignoring the set-up expectations.

 

[Hypersmurf]

If a rogue was not seen as heroic, then maybe that class shouldn't have been allowed, and shouldn't be part of a heroic game?

There are heroic rogues. The class is not the problem.

The DM requested the players to submit heroic characters. A heroic rogue, willing to risk personal harm to jump in and help a stranger in trouble? Step right up! A heroic warlock, willing to risk personal harm to jump in and help a stranger in trouble? Just the man we're looking for!

A fighter who would rather loot a civilian than prevent a robbery? A cleric who would rather loot a civilian than prevent a robbery? Not appropriate for this game.

The DM is not complaining that the player submitted a rogue. The DM is complaining that despite the guidelines for this PbP (not D&D in general, but this particular game), the player submitted a non-heroic character.

If I run a game and specify "No eladrin PCs", and someone submits an eladrin, they haven't taken on board the rules I've laid out for this particular game. Whether eladrin exist in D&D is beside the point; I'm running a game for PCs who are not eladrin.

This DM is running a game for PCs who are heroic, not for PCs who are selfish burglars.

-Hyp.

 

[justanobody]

This DM is running a game for PCs who are heroic, not for PCs who are selfish burglars.

-Hyp.

That is why I said prior to the aside, that it may be too early to tell what is happening and to talk with the player about it.

 

[DeadlyUematsu]

You explicitly stated (in writing) what the campaign was about and he chose to do something contrary to it. Remind him again and if he insists on doing whatever he feels like (regardless of what he signed up for), boot him.

 

[Treebore]

Verify he is intentionally going against the announced intent of your game. It already sounds like he clearly is. If so, drop him. He can go find a game more to his liking, rather than forcing you to make your game to his liking.

Yeah, definitely drop him.

 

[Lhorgrim]

I'll jump on board with the folks that say to communicate with the player to see if this is the type of game they're willing to join.

Most people deserve a second chance, and my experience has been that most conflicts are based in miss communication.

That being said, there are gamers out there who just do not wish to be heroes, and not every game fits every play style.

Sometimes it's better for everybody if a deviant player finds a game better suited to their desires.

 

[ravin_raven]

I sent him a PM; I'll see how he responds.

 

[ravin_raven]

I would say you are asking a lot from <snip>

I don't think it is asking too much in a PbP environment. If you don't like it, join one of the other dozens of games that is starting. There is currently recruiting a 13th level Gestalt evil outsider campaign. I think that's stupid, but I don't say so in their thread, nor do I think that they don't have the right to find that game interesting and play it. I certainly don't join the game and then play contrary to the stated intent of the game.

I had players with diverse backgrounds; rather than "You meet in ye olde tavern and seek adventure" I chose a robbery on the street to kick off the campaign; thus, I wanted 1st level PCs who would jump in to save a stranger. If that isn't your particular brand of vodka, then I don't blame anyone one bit, but don't show up and join the thieves. That simply strikes me as disingenuous.

 

[ravin_raven]

I don't think roleplaying a specific character should be punished, so I don't think you should drop him. I do think you should let the players chastise him for his obvious act of cowardice, however. Eventually he will either act in concert with the party or he will be driven from the group by the other players.

He doesn't even know the name of any of the other PCs! I don't see how they'll be able to discern that he's not one of the thieves without meta-gaming. That is, without straining disbelief and work on the part of the other players, he can't even learn their names.

 

[Dice4Hire]

I say talk to him and give him another chance, but if he keeps doing it, drip him as life is too short and there are lots of players and games out there.

Some people just like being disruptive and controlling the pace and flavor o the game to their own ends. I have had several players who use the 'its a game' defense like a shield, trying to force the other players to keep him in the game, but forcing them to put up with his character also.